Liquid-air apparatus.



No. $73,774. Patented may 7, Ism; T. J. HATHAwAY.

LIQUID AIR APPARATUS.

(Application led. July 20, 1900.) No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shui I.

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-i/KW T/VESSES Patnted May 7, |90I.

T. J. HATH'AwAY.

LIQUID AIR APPARATUS.

(Application led July 20, 1900.)

2 Shaets--Sheot 2.

(Neg Model.)

' E [NVE/WOR ffomey THOMAS J. HATHAWAY, OF GULFVIEW, MISSISSIPPI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO LINCOLN H. OLEVENGER, OF SAME PLACE.

LIQUID-AIR APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 673,774, dated May '7, 190.1.

Application filed July 20, 1900. Serial No. 24,254. (No model.)

other substances or the control of the evaporation thereof for refrigerating or cooling purposes.

The invention has for one object to provide a receptacle which will insure the minimum evaporation of the liquid therein and also to permit the Withdrawal of such liquid from the receptacle or control and effect the evap-v oration of the liquid within the receptacle by raising the temperature thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide regulating means cooperating with the receptacle for the purpose of admitting thereinto air of a normal atmospheric temperature to effect an evaporation of the liquefied air and also devices for controlling the operation of said regulator to insure a predetermined temperature in any desired apartment or room.

A further object of the invention is to provide a regulating-chamber in which a body of expansive fluid or liquid will be affected by the temperature of the compartment within which the regulator is located to actuate valve mechanism for the purpose of permitting the evaporation of liquefied air and the consequent cooling of the compartment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly.pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l represents a vertical cross-section through the receptacle and the regulator which cooperates therewith. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section'through the regulator. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the regulator on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. et is a detail vertical section showing the applica- Like letters of reference indicate like parts.

throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The letter A designates the receptacle adapted to contain the liquid air, which may be of any desired shape or configuration and within which there is centrally disposed the tank A', in which the liquid air is contained. This tank is provided with an opening A2 at its upper portion and is surrounded by a shell occase A3, provided at its lower portion with openings or apertures A4, which permit the evaporated liquid to pass'around the outside of the walls of the tank A', which is supported within the shell AS and spaced therefrom by means of blocks or seats A5. The shell A3 is closed at its upper portion-above the opening A2 from the tank A by lneans ot a threaded iange engaging with a tubular sleeve forming the inlet to the tank, thus effecting a tight joint A6. This arrangement of channels for the conveyance of the evaporated liquid around the main tank may be multiplied to any desired extent-for instance, as shown in Fig. l, wherein the shell A3 is in turn supported upon seats A1, carried by a larger shell A8, which shell is provided at its upper portion with an outletopening A9, discharging into a space formed between the same and a corresponding larger shell A10. The shell A10 is closed at its upper portion by means of a tight joint A11, similar to the joint A6, and is provided at its lower portion with seats A12 for supporting the shell A8 and discharge-openings A13, which permit the escape of evaporated liquid or air into a space extending between the shell A10 and the casing A14.

from this casing by means of seats A15, and the casing is provided at its upper portion with an outlet or vent A16, from which the evaporated substance may be conducted to any desired point for use in cooling or other purposes by means of a pipe-line A17, as shown by dotted lines. The casing is provided With The shell is also spaced a tight joint A18 at its point of connection with the tubular inlet. This inlet is designed to be normally closed by means of a plug B, of any desired non-conducting material, which is provided with a recess B to permit the reuntil the plug is again removed. The severalparts of the tank, shells, and casing may be of any desired material, as the primary obje'c't thereof is to prevent the evaporation of the liquid within the tank A' by reason ofthe temperaturey of the atmosphere surrounding the receptacle, and for'that purpose non-conducting Vmaterials or packings found necessary, as is common in the art of refrigeration, may be dispensed with and the heat counteracted by they expanding air. l

The several parts of the receptacle heretofore described only permit a very slight evap- 'oration of the liquid, as the surrounding airchambers filled with the evaporated liquid prevent the temperature of the atmosphere from aiecting the main bod-y; but it is found desirable to provide the vent or outlet A16 in order to prevent any damage to theV apparatus from the continued expansion which will always occur when a liquid of very low temperature,such as liquefied air, is stored within the receptacle. For the purpose of insuring amore rapid evaporation of this liquid, and thus effecting the cooling of a compartment to a greater extent, a warm-air tubel C is inserte'd in the lower portion of the tan k A and is connected with the sides nof the casing by means of an inlet-tube C', of suitable nonconductingr material ,and a similar outlet-tube C2 at the opposite side, by means of which a circulation of air at the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere is effected throughl the body of the liquefied air, thus ca using an expansion and evaporation thereof. The outlet-tube O2 is extended in any desired manner-for instance, with a downward arm C3, provided at its lower end with a valve-seat C4, while the inlet-tube is provided with a similar seat C5, which seats when closed prevent the entrance of the air at the temperature of the compartment into the tube C. In

connection with this air-circulating device a f.

supply-tube C6 is provided, which has a small opening C7 extending to the aperture of the circulating-pipes in order to supply air at the temperature of the atmosphere for counteracting the contraction within the pipes C, C', and C2, and thus permit the ready operation of the valves controlling these pipes. lt will `beobserved that if this contraction occurs when the valves are closed, a partial vacuum will be effected and prevent the operation of the valves by the ordinary mechanism.

The valves for controlling the warm-air-cirlculating pipes hereinbefore described may be of any desired structure or configuration and for the purpose of illustration are shown in Fig. l'with a valve D to control the inlet-pipe C and a valve D to control the outlet from the pipe C3. These valves are carried by a framework of any suitable construction-for instance, of light wire or similar material, as shown at D2, which is held by spring-standards D3, adapted when in their normal position of rest to closethe valves D and D. The spring-standards Ds are supported by any suitable means-for instance, by posts E rising from theexpansion-chamber E of the regulator. The chamber may be formed of wood` or other suitable material and is provided at` its sides or ends with thin metal panels E2, through which the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere will be transmitted to the bodyy of expansive fluid or Vliquid contained within the regulator. This fluid or liquid may be ofA any desired character to expand to a predetermined degree upon the increase oftempel'ature, and if a very low temperature be desired the chamber may be lled with liquid air. The chamber is also provided at one end with a (ie'xible diaphragm E3, connected withhthe body of expansive liquid by the tubeE4 and contained Within the cylindrical case E5,y supported u pon said tube. This case prevents a lateral expansion of the diaphragm E3 and causes the same to expand longitudinally of the cylindrical case. Extending downwardly from the frame D2 is an arm D4, provided with a conf tact-.plate D5, heid in contact at all times with the diaphragm E3 by means of the springstandards Di and, if desired, a spring supporting-standard D6 in connection with the depending arm D4. I t will be apparent that the expansion of the liquid within the chamber E will through the medium of the diaphragm E3 open the valves D and D' and place the spring-standards under tension. This permits acirculation of air at the temperature of the atmosphere through the liquid-air tank and produces an 'evaporation by which 4the temperature of the c'ompartmentis reduced. When this reduction reaches the desired extent for which the regulator is arranged, the contraction of the liquid within the chamber E permits the spring-standards to close the valves D and D.

For the purpose of regulating the temperature at which the expansive liquid shall operate to open or close the valves l have provided a pressure device consisting of a cylinder F communicating with any desired portion ofv thechamber E-for instance, the top, as shown-within which cylinder a piston E' is provided, having a stem E2 threaded into the closed end of the cylinder F and suitably swiveled upon the piston.

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This stem is provided at its upper end with a crank-handle F3 of any preferred construction and below the same with the disk or ring F4, adapted to engage the forked inner end F5 of a pivoting indicating-arm F6, which traverses the surface of a dial F7, containing suitable designating characters for the diierent degrees of temperature. The pivoted arm Fis supported at the upper end of a standard FS, while the dial may be supported by means of a branch arm Fg extending from one side of the standard. It will be apparent that as the piston F' is depressed within the cylinder F a greater compression of the expansive liquid will be effected, and the valves consequently operated through the mechanism hereinbefore described to effect a much lower degree of temperature by permitting the evaporation of the liquid air within the tank A'. The regulating device is shown iu Fig. l for the purpose of illustration as located below the receptacle containing the liquefied air; but it will be ap* parent that it may be carried by said receptacle or detachably connected thereto, so that the receptacle may be changed when found desirable, as the means of connection and operation of the several parts herein shown are given as one method of eecting the results to be attained.

If it be desired to disconnect the regulating device and valves from the receptacle, the inlet and outlet pipes may be removed and their place filled by means of a plug G, as shown in Fig. 4. This can be effected by turning the receptacle upon its side and unscrewing the inlet or outlet pipes and inserting the plug in their place. This plug is also used when the receptacle is to be shipped, filled with air, and the regulating device afterward applied when it is desired to govern the evaporation of the air. The plug E, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, consists of a shell or casing GQ having one-half of its inner end closed, as shown at G2. At the outer end of the plug a cross-bar G3 extends, and Within this crossbar G3 and closed end G2 a valved opening-rod G1 is pivoted, which rod may have a handle G5, as shown. This rod carries at its inner end a valve G6 and also a core or filling G7 of any suitable material, preferably non conducting in character. Between the cross-bar G3 and the end of the vvalverod G4 a sleeve GS is applied, while upon the end of the valve-rod a tension-nut G9 may be used to draw the valve G6 closely to its seat. When the plug is to be used solely for plugging purposes, a removable segment or'block G10 is inserted above the block G7, carried by the valve, so as to make a complete core within the case G', whereby the valve-rod may be repeatedly turned and the valve operated without eiectingany opening into the tank A'. It'it should be desired to withdraw some of the liquid from the tank, this can be eii'ected by removing the segment G10 and operating the valve so as to bring the block G7 into the upper portion of the casing G, thus leaving the lower portion ot' the casing open as an outlet for the liquid. The parts when in this position are shown in Fig. 7, and the valve G6 is provided with a finger G11, adapted to engage a pin G12, which limits the movement of the valve when it has reached its full open position. When the valve and block G7 are shifted into the position shown in Fig. 5, the outlet from the tank is eii'ectually closed, and any tampering with the receptacle may be further prevented by the insertion of the plug G10.

In the foregoing` description it will be seen that the operation ot' this invention involves the evaporation of the liquefied air by the circulation through said liquid of a current of the air at an atmospheric temperature which is always a great deal higher than that of the liquid air. It will also be seen that by means of the valves the circulation of air may be controlled through the medium of the regulator, and these valves may be so operated as to maintain a compartment at a predetermined temperature proper for the purposes inview, whether refrigeration or the cooling of dwelling apartments. The escape of evaporated liquid or the airin a partiallyexpanded condition occurs through the outlet-pipe, by which the current of intensely cold vapor may be carried through pipes for refrigerating purposes or allowed to escape for a similar object. It is also essential in a device of this character that the body of liquid should be so thoroughly protected from the influence of the atmosphere at a normal tem perature that the same can be safely handled and transported, and for that reason the tank is surrounded by a series of airspaces forming a circuitous pat-h through which the partially-vaporized air passes, and thus provides a thorough protection against undue expansion of the main body ot' liquid air and permits the evaporation ot' the same to be controlled by the valves on the circula- V tion-pipes.

The details of construction and configuration of the several parts of the invention may be altered without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims, and the materials used may be altered as found most expedient for the objects in View. In the present illustration the conducting-pipes have been shown as formed ot wood, which being a non-conductor of heat or cold has been chosen for the present illustration.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. Aliquid-air receptacle comprsingastorage-tank provided with an opening at its upper portion, a series of inclosing shells surrounding said tank and forming a series of expansionpassages communicating with a vent or outlet opening, and a removable circulation-tube extending from one side of the case to the other through said shells and the lower portion of the tank; substantially as specified.

2. A liquid-air apparatus comprising a receptacle provided with means for the escape ofv evaporated liquid, a circulation-tube passing through said receptacle and communicating with the atmosphere, and an automatically-operated valve for controlling said tube; substantially as specified.

3. A liquid-air apparatus comprising a receptacle' provided with means for the escape of evaporated liquid, a circulation-tube passing through said receptacle andcommunicating with the atmosphere, an automaticallyoperated valve for controlling said tube, and a regulating device for operating said valve; substantially as specified.

4.. A liquid-air apparatus comprising a receptacle provided with means for the escape of evaporated liquid, a circulation-tube passing through said receptacle and com municatin'g with the atmosphere, an automatically opera-ted valve. for controlling said tube, and a thermostatie regulating device for yoperating said valve; substantially as specified.

5. In a liquid-air apparatus, the combination of 'a tank, a series of inclosing shells surrounding the same and spaced from each other by supports at their bottoms to form a pasu sage for evaporated liquid and provided with openings alternately disposed at their top and bottom, and an outlet-vent in the outer shell,

an inlet passing through the shell to the in ner tank at its upper portion, and a circulation-tube extending through the shells and the lower portion ofthe tank and open at each end; substantially as specified.

6. In a liquid-air apparatus, the combination of a tank, a series of partitions surroundin g the same and spaced from each other to form a passage for evaporated liquid and provided With openings alternately disposed at their top and bottom, a tubular inlet communicating with the tank and joined to the alternate shells or partitions, and a plug adapted to close said inlet; substantially as specified.

7. In a liquid-air apparatus, the combination of a tank, a series of partitions surrounding the same and spaced from each other to form a passage for evaporated liquid and provided With openings alternately disposed at their top and bottom, a tubular inlet joined to the alternate shells or partitions, a plug adapted to close said inlet, and a float Within said tank having a graduated stem adapted to fit within a recess in said plug when inserted; substantially as speciiied.

8. In a liquid-air apparatus, the combination of a tank and discharging means therefor, of a circulation-pipe communicating With thev atmosphere and extending through said tank, valves controlling the opposite ends of said pipe, and an air-inlet in said pipe to prevent the formation of a vacuum therein; substantially as specified.

9. In a liquid-air apparatus, the combination With a liquid-tank,of air-circulating pipes for producing evaporation within said tank, simultaneously-operated valves at the opposite ends of said circulating-pipes, a regulator adapted to operate said valves in one direction, and means for closing said valves When released from the regulator; substantially as specified.

10. In a liquid-air apparatus, the combination with a tank, of a closure-plug comprising a casing, a pivoted valve thereon having a core located within said casing, and means for rotating said valve and core; substantially as specified.

11. In a liquid-air apparatus, the combination With a tank, of a closure-plug comprising a casing, a pivoted valve thereon having a core located within said casing, means for rotating said valve and core, and a removable core-block adapted to fill the space Within said casing between ysaid valve-rod and core carried thereby; substantially as specified.

l2. In a liquid-air apparatus, the combination of a tank, a series of shells surrounding the same and having openings at oppositeends to form a circuitous path for the evaporated liquid, supporti ng-seats for spacing said shells from each other, an air-circulating pipe extending through said tank and communicating with the atmosphere, and means for closing the ends of said pipe; substantially as specied.

13. In aliquid-air apparatus, the combination of a tank, a series of shells surrounding the same and having openings at opposite ends to form a circuitous path for the evaporated liquid, supporting-seats for 'spacing said shells from each other, a circulating-pipe extending through said tank and communicating With the atmosphere, means for closing the ends of said pipe, and means controlled by the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere for automatically actuating said pipe closing means; substantially as specified.

14. In a liquid-air apparatus, the combination lot a tank, a series of As hells surrounding l the same and having openings at opposite.

ends to form a circuitous path for the evaporated liquid, supporting seats for spacing said shells from each other, a circulating-pipe extending through said tank and communicating with the atmosphere, valves at the ends of said pipe, a regulator and an operating- IOO IOS

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tion With a liquid-tank, of an air-circulating pipe for producing evaporation Within said tank, valves adapted to Control the entrance and exit to said pipe, a regulator connected With said valves to operate the same simultaneously relative to the movement of an eX- pansive medium; substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

THOMAS J. HATIIAWAY.

Witnesses:

O. P. WIMMER, A. MURRAY. 

